TV Shows That Definitely Deserve a Revival

TV reboots were already all the rage heading into 2018, thanks to the success of shows like Fuller House and Will & Grace. But then, in March 2018, Roseanne returned to ABC and became an unprecedented television phenomenon.

If you thought revivals were getting out of hand before, just wait; the number of shows returning to the airwaves is about to increase tenfold. Not all of these shows, unfortunately, will really deserve more episodes.

However, there are some shows that we really do hope return.

1. The West Wing

The West Wing | NBC

Has there ever been a better time for the return of The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin’s classic series with an extraordinarily optimistic view on American politics?

In a dark and divisive period in history, it would be cathartic to dive back into the world created by Sorkin, which is a far cry from the nihilistic perspective posed by shows like House of Cards and Veep. In The West Wing, just about every character working in the White House is there because they truly believe in making a difference in people’s lives.

A revival storyline could easily focus on a new president with some of the original cast serving in his administration and President Bartlet having a recurring role. And it sounds like a realistic possibility, with creator Aaron Sorkin having expressed interest.

Next: This 1990s sitcom might come back.

2. Frasier

Frasier | NBC

As soon as Roseanne became such a hit, everyone started to speculate about other 1990s sitcoms that might return next. So what about Frasier?

One of the most successful TV spinoffs of all time, Frasier is just as beloved by many as Cheers was in the previous decade. And Kelsey Grammer himself has said that “It would be neat to see what happened to him, because clearly he never had any luck in love.”

It’s probably way too late to reboot Cheers, but Frasier is possible. This revival doesn’t necessarily seem as likely as some of the others on our list, but you never know; Roseanne didn’t seem likely, either.

Next: This show was recently canceled, but we hope it comes back.

3. Ash vs. Evil Dead

Ash vs. Evil Dead | Starz

Moving to a more recent example, Starz, unfortunately, canceled Ash vs. Evil Dead in 2018 after three seasons. Despite this being a brilliant horror-comedy based on the iconic moviefranchise, the ratings were never great.

So it was devastating when we heard that there were plans in place for a fourth season had the show not been canceled; it would have taken place in a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-style future, according to Bloody Disgusting.

That sounds absolutely incredible, and although Bruce Campbell has said he’s now finished playing Ash, fans can still pray that someone will revive the show and that he’ll reconsider.

Next: This is another horror show that was canceled after three seasons.

4. Hannibal

Hannibal | NBC

Speaking of horror shows that were canceled after three seasons, Hannibal is also one that fans are desperately hoping will be revived. NBC axed this series in 2015. Although the Season 3 finale sort of works as an ending, there was clearly room for more.

Since then, creator Bryan Fuller has spoken repeatedly about the potential of a revival, and it appears that pretty much every single person involved in the show would come back. Now, Hannibal just needs a network willing to pick it up. But even if it’s just for a one-time movie, it would be great to see this phenomenal cast continue the story.

Next: We hope that Disney brings this show back.

5. The Muppet Show

The Muppets | ABC

Why isn’t Disney doing more with the Muppets? There has been no movie made with the characters since 2014, and the most recent entry into the franchise was a 2015 ABC show, which ended up being somewhat misguided and getting canceled after one season.

Now, Disney is reportedly working on a new Muppets TV show for its streaming service. Nobody knows what it will be, but Disney should seriously consider making it a full-on revival of The Muppet Show.

The Muppets came close to being that, updating the variety show format to a talk show format. While that’s a fine idea, it focused a bit too much on adult sitcom jokes and the characters’ love lives. This new series should be geared more towards kids and should be much closer to the spirit of the original Muppet Show.

Next: Considering this show ended on a cliffhanger, we really want it to return.

6. My Name is Earl

My Name Is Earl | NBC

A show is especially in need of a revival if it ends on a cliffhanger, and that’s exactly the case with My Name is Earl, which was canceled after its fourth season. Not only did the show never get to resolve its main conflict — Earl’s attempt to finish his list — but it also didn’t get to answer the question posed by the last episode: who is Earl Jr.’s biological father?

After the show was canceled, there were some rumblings of a potential continuation. But it never happened. At this point, it seems unlikely that a full season would get made. What about just a made-for-TV movie to wrap things up, though?

The creator has actually gone into detail about what his planned ending would have involved, and it sounds fantastic. Hopefully, fans will get to see it executed on screen one day.

Next: This classic anthology series should come back.

7. Tales from the Crypt

Tales From the Crypt | HBO

A revival of The Twilight Zone is currently in the works, which isn’t a great idea, considering how much of that series’ charm had to do with its creator, Rod Serling. However, there’s another anthology series that is much more deserving of a revival: Tales from the Crypt.

Every episode of this great HBO show involved its host, the Crypt Keeper, presenting a standalone story that felt like a B-horror movie condensed into 30 minutes. It was often a bit trashy, but many episodes were legitimately terrifying. Now that the anthology format has become more popular, now seems like the perfect time for the Crypt Keeper to rise again.

A Tales from the Crypt revival actually was in the works for a while; it was going to air on TNT. But sadly, in 2017, it was announced that the project was officially dead. Let’s hope that, like many of the show’s characters, it won’t stay dead for long.

Next: Nickelodeon should bring back this great show from the 1990s.

8. Legends of the Hidden Temple

Legends of the Hidden Temple | Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon announced in April 2018 that it is reviving its classic 1990s game show, Double Dare. As long as the network is interested in reviving game shows, Legends of the Hidden Temple would be a great option.

Originally airing from 1993 through 1995 (but airing in repeats for years afterward), Legends of the Hidden Temple was a game show in which contestants had to answer trivia questions, perform physical stunts, and finally, make their way through the hidden temple to retrieve an artifact.

Nick actually did revive the show in 2016, but it was just for a scripted, made-for-TV movie. What fans really want is a return of the actual game show, and now is the perfect time to bring it back.

Next: This show had a ridiculously talented cast, and it sounds like they’d be willing to come back.

9. Freaks and Geeks

Freaks and Geeks | NBC

Another one of those great shows that left us far too soon is Freaks and Geeks, which aired on NBC for just one season. It had a cast consisting of a lot of actors who would go on to become incredibly famous, including James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, and Lizzy Caplan.

It’s obviously way too late to make a proper Season 2 like fans always wanted. But why not make some sort of revived series or special that takes place 20 years later, showing what the characters are up to now? It could be that the characters get together for their 20-year high school reunion.

It sounds like most of the cast would return, and now that NBC is so interested in revivals, it’s not unreasonable to think the network would consider it.

Next: This show was canceled too soon as well.

10. Happy Endings

Happy Endings | ABC

Happy Endings was one of those hilarious sitcoms that unfortunately never performed well in the ratings. So sadly, ABC canceled it at the end of the third season. There were some immediate talks of a possible continuation, but no other network picked the show up.

In 2015, a mysterious countdown clock appeared online that fans thought was leading to the announcement of a revival. That didn’t happen, but the creators said that they would like to continue the show for real.

Although it’s unlikely that the series would ever return for a full Season 4 on ABC, let’s hope we see those characters again at some point down the line.

Next: The actress behind this iconic TV show has said she would return for a revival.

11. Xena: Warrior Princess

Xena: Warrior Princess | NBC

For some time, NBC was interested in developing a reboot of Xena: Warrior Princess, the cult fantasy series starring Lucy Lawless. At the time, the network wanted to find a new young star to play Xena. Plans for that reboot ultimately fell apart, though.

But the reboot needs to happen for one reason: Lawless has said that she would reprise the role of Xena. If actors like Harrison Ford and Bruce Campbell can return to reprise their iconic character decades after the fact, why not Lawless? Especially during an age when viewers are more hungry than ever for strong female characters, there’s no better time for more Xena.

Next: This classic series should return to Cartoon Network.

11. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Courage the Cowardly Dog | Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network has rebooted a variety of shows over the years, including SamuraiJack. But the one classic show from that network we’d love to see come back is Courage the Cowardly Dog.

This bizarre animated series followed a dog who must reluctantly save his owners from a variety of terrifying paranormal encounters. An entire generation remembers it as the show that gave them nightmares.

The show went off the air in 2002, but it still has a cult following, and millions of people who grew up with it would definitely tune in for more — plus, it could traumatize an entire new generation.

Next: This is another 1990s sitcom we’d love to see again

12. Family Matters

Family Matters | ABC

If there are to be more sitcom reboots after Roseanne, what about Family Matters? The increasingly ridiculous ABC sitcom is another 1990s favorite, which the network might be taking another look at now.

In October 2017, the show’s cast reunited, and they all unanimously agreed that they would be interested in a revival; while some actors aren’t sure how to feel about their shows coming back, the whole Family Matters cast was incredibly into it.

Sadly, though, Mother Winslow couldn’t be in any sort of a revival, as Rosetta LeNoire died in 2002.

Next: This show really needs to return for a movie.

13. Community

Community | NBC

If returning for a movie counts as getting a revival, then Community definitely deserves one. After NBC canceled it at the end of its fifth season, Community returned for a sixth season on Yahoo in 2015. That season was great, but a seventh season never followed. For years, the promise had been that there would be six seasons and a movie.

But it’s now been years since the finale, and there has apparently been no progress in getting that movie made. It absolutely needs to happen, though; nothing would be more frustrating than the show falling just slightly short of fulfilling the “six seasons and a movie” prophecy.

Next: We really want to see what this 1990s cartoon character is up to today.

14. The Critic

The Critic | ABC

The hilarious 1990s series The Critic followed the life of film critic Jay Sherman; the show would spoof movies and celebrities popular at the time. It only aired for two seasons, but it has a huge cult following.

Decades later, film criticism has completely changed, and there are thousands of YouTube channels dedicated to making fun of and criticizing movies. The time is perfect for a return, and it would be hilarious to see Jay Sherman’s opinions on modern film trends.

Next: Now that Roseanne is a hit, it would make all the sense in the world for this show to come back.

15. Home Improvement

Home Improvement | ABC

If ABC wants to continue the success of Roseanne, it would make all the sense in the world for them to revive Home Improvement.

After all, this is another 1990s sitcom with a conservative creator and star. The show was always a lot of fun — much better than Tim Allen’s more recent sitcom Last Man Standing — and so it would be great to see it come back.